As 2014 draws to a close we went back through some of our favourite bits from Newstalk in the last twelve months. We've picked out a broad range of interviews, reports and affecting moments from the past year. With everything from heartbreaking, personal interviews, to a near total comedic breakdown live on air, these clips range from the informative to the emotional and to the hilariuous - but all remain gripping in their own way from start to finish.
Part One of Newstalk's Best Of 2014
Off the Ball
Emma O'Reilly was one of the central figures, and victims, in the Lance Armstrong doping scandal. She told Off The Ball how she has made peace with the disgraced cyclist after years of feuding. Ger Gilroy spoke to Betsy Andreu on why she isn't ready to quit the fight
Lunchtime
In a touching, and harrowing story, Lunchtime heard how two men attacked and robbed 50-year-old taxi driver John Ford in the early hours of a Saturday morning. John joined Jonathan to tell his story.
Futureproof
Dean Karnazes is something of a scientific miracle. He can run and run. He has run 50 marathons in 50 days, 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes, with no sleep. Futureproof spoke to him about his incredible feats.
The Sunday Show
Cormac Lucey, Economics Commentator with The Sunday Times, and Dan O’Brien, Columnist with the Irish Independent provided the opinions in this memorable debate on The Sunday Show
Breakfast
Chris and Ivan were at their best on this particular morning. Or their worst, depending on your own personal tastes for radio. A story about a mobile phone and a coffin brought about the year’s most memorable moment on the show.
Documentary on Newstalk
Producer Eoin Brennan brought us the story of one of Irish sport's most remarkable figures, and perhaps the most dramatic rise and fall in Irish sporting history.
The Pat Kenny Show
X-Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary joined Pat in studio to discuss his new book The Soundtrack to My Life.
The Pat Kenny Show
As cultural phenomenons go, Irish entertainment has rarely, if ever, touched on the omnipresent megalith that was Love/Hate series five. The finale was a gut punch felt across the island. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor joined Pat in studio shortly after the credits rolled to discuss his life as Nidge, and life inside the Love/Hate bubble.
Moncrieff
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks spoke to Sean Moncrieff live on air about his opinions on Google, WikiLeaks and life in the embassy.
The Picture Show
Philip Molloy spoke to director Steve McQueen whose third feature film Twelve Years A Slave, was the critical hit of early 2014.
Breakfast
In one of the year’s most important stories, Mairia Cahill alleged she was raped & the IRA investigated the case in a Kangaroo Court. This interview comes from a time when the controversy was at its peak. Here, MS Cahill responds to Breakfast's interview with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald.
Team 33
Team 33 'Football Manager Stole My Life' author Iain Macintosh and SI's Mark Woodger delve into FM's past, present and future; plus Premier League reviewed and winners and losers.
Off the Ball
Francis Fitzgibbon plays football with the Dublin Devils. Simon Murphy is the hooker for the Emerald Warriors. Both speak to Joe about being gay men who play sport.
Down to Business
Business magnate Donald Trump told Bobby Kerr about his plans for Doonbeg Golf Course in County Clare.
Futureproof
Futureproof went on the adventure of a lifetime this year, travelling deep into the Amazon jungle and marvel at the sights and sounds of the incredible wildlife to be found there, in the second part of the show’s French Guiana trip.
The Sunday Show
Columnist Eamon Delaney and People Before Profit Councillor Hugh Lewis debated Ireland's attitude to Israel during the summer's offensive against Gaza.
The Marc Coleman Show
Taking a close look at the role, responsibility and reality of media in Ireland today, John O'Donovan chaired a debate between presenter and economist Marc Coleman and UCD lecturer Julien Mercille regarding the reporting of the bank collapse.
Talking Point
The much loved Dublin singer / songwriter Damien Dempsey shared his memories and music with Talking Point.
The Pat Kenny Show
Pat Kenny was joined in studio by one of America's best known public defenders for a fascinating, enlightening discussion on inequality in the US criminal justice system.
The Right Hook
One of George’s most long standing guests, and a man dividing opinion among listeners for years, Michael Graham gives us the view from his side of the Atlantic, including his thoughts on whether a non-Christian could ever become President of the United States.
The Pat Kenny Show
In a heartbreaking interview Kathleen Chada spoke to Pat Kenny about her sons Eoghan and Ruairi who were killed by their father Sanjeev.
The Pat Kenny Show
In March, Senator David Norris joined Pat Kenny in studio for a very frank interview about politics, religion and his illness. Senator Norris was a study in exuberance, eccentricity and positivity.
Moncrieff
Alan Cumming released the highly personal and honest memoir ‘My Father’s Son’ late this year. He joined Sean on Moncrieff to discuss the influence his father had on his life.
Splanc
Tháinig Aoife Scott isteach sa stúidíó le linn Féile Trad Barra an Teampaill, in éineacht le Eoghan Scott agus Conor Lyons, chun labhairt ar a cuid cheoil agus rian nó dhó a sheint.
The Green Room
Jake Gyllenhaal told The Green Room he ate little and slept little during the making of Nightcrawler. The experience, informed his character as a desperate news stringer.
Documentary on Newstalk
My Generation, A new Documentary Series by Francesca Lalor, explored in two parts a social history of Ireland over the past 100 years. Looking from generation to generation, this documentary spent two hours bringing us into a side of Ireland rarely seen.
Breakfast
Newstalk Breakfast’s Kieran Cuddihy travelled around Ireland to profile the extent of Ireland's growing heroin epidemic. His findings shone a light on the life of addicts beyond the one dimensional stereotypes often used when viewing the issue of drug addiction.
Global Village
Former Cork hurler Conor Cusack joined Dil to discuss mental well-being in an in-depth, personal and moving interview
The Tom Dunne Show
Tommy Tiernan spoke to Tom Dunne about his new DVD Stray Sod and improvisational comedy. Well, he did once the pair could stop giggling.
